LVEF at 38% --what to do?

[soniachowdhury]

My father, 69 yrs., complained about palpitition of heart and underwent an Ecocardiography (2D/M-mode) which revealed LVEF 38% with the LV internal diameter(systole) 5.54cm and dialated LV (internal diameter 6.03cm diastolic). The aortic root is dilated. The final diagnosis is "dilated cardiomyopathywith moderate  LV systolic dysfunction". LV shows generalised wall hypokinese; paradoxical motion of IVS(due to LBBB).
The sodium & pottasium test are fine . HDL is 33 mg/dl, LDL is 94 mg/dl , triglycerides 82mg/dl and total HDL cholestrol 4.30. The blood sugar reports are fine both fasting and PP.
what medication and further test would you recommend and why and for how long?

[Flycaster305]

I'm not a health professional so I don't feel qualified to answer your questions.  I'd suggest that you address these concerns with your doctor and also contact a dietician.  An angiography would tell you if he has additional problems, specifically a heart artery blockage, but these matters should be addressed by your father's physician.  

Let us know what your doctor suggests and best wishes.  

[asad392]

my father ejection fraction is 34 (normal 58) and fractional shortening is 17(normal 28) he is 67 year old he face breath shortening,some time vomiting tell me how dangoreous it is what is survival rate of such patient and does fractional shortening and ejectional fractional level changes depending on stress amount of travel or fatigue or not

[soniachowdhury]

Thank you for your reply Sir!
Please suggest a complete diet for my father relevant to the problems we discussed! Any particular food he should take or avoid?
Also please advise if you would or would not suggest an angiography and why.
Regards
Sonia

[Flycaster305]

It sounds like your father has had a viral infection that affected his heart function.  I think from reading this board there are different Cardiomyopathy causes, and the cause isn't always identified or understood.  
The LVEF 38% suggests that the left ventricle is pumping blood at a 38% efficiency rating.  50%-70% is generally consider normal factors.  
The Cardiologist will undoubtedly suggest medications such as Coreg or another Beta Blocker, and perhaps a stress test and an exercise regimen.  I'd suggest to your father to take these suggestions.  The EF factor can change back into the 'normal' range, and many of us who follow this board have seen our EF factors rise.  As for how long, heart healthy living is usually a lifetime thing once one has heart trouble.